Relationship Between Psychological Distress and Poverty Among Japanese Workers During the COVID-19 Pandemic A Prospective Cohort Study

ObjectiveThis study aimed to examine the relationship between psychological distress and poverty among Japanese workers during the COVID-19 pandemic.MethodAn Internet-based prospective cohort study was conducted. A total of 11,081 individuals who were not experiencing poverty at baseline in December 2020 were included. The exposure variable was psychological distress evaluated using the Kessler 6 scale at baseline. The outcome variable was whether participants were experiencing poverty at the 1-year follow-up, as defined by household financial distress.ResultCompared with individuals without psychological distress, the adjusted odds ratios of household financial distress among those with mild and severe psychological distress were 2.88 (95% confidence interval, 2.47-3.33, P < 0.001) and 3.19 (95% confidence interval, 2.52-4.04, P < 0.001), respectively.ConclusionsWorkers' psychological distress is a notable public health concern in the context of poverty.

Automated summary

This study aimed to investigate the relationship between psychological distress and poverty among Japanese workers during the COVID-19 pandemic. An Internet-based prospective cohort study was conducted with 11,081 individuals who were not experiencing poverty at baseline in December 2020. The results showed that individuals with mild and severe psychological distress had higher odds of experiencing household financial distress compared to those without distress.